Surgical swab.



W. H. SHARP.

SURGICAL SWAB.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1916.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

an my WILLIAM H. SHARP, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 BAUER, &BLACK, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, A. CCRPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SURGICAL. SWAB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 3, 1916. Serial No. 95,014.

To all 'wkom z't may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. SHARP,

a citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, in the county ofCook and tate of Illinois, have invented certain newand usefulImprovements in Surgical Swabs, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a surgical swab and has for its principalobject the provision f a simple and inexpensive means for transportingsmall quantities of a cleansing, antiseptic or healing liquid in amanner best adapted to render it quickly available and readilyapplicable when needed.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it isbetter understood by reference to the following specification when readin connection with the accompanying drawing, illustrating the preferredembodiment thereof, in which Figure 1 is a view in perspective of asurgical swab according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the liquid container 5 Fig. 3 1s aview in perspective of the absorbent pad;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the wrapping, and f Fig. 5 is alongitudinal section throughthe swab as illustrated in Fig.1.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a suitable friable container,preferably of glass and sealed to normally retain the liquid 2 containedtherein. The liquid 2 may be cleansing, antise tic or healing. incharacter, the swab eing especially designed, however, to contain smallquantities of lOdlIl and to permit the ready application thereof towounds. A cover 3 of textile material, prefescape of the glass or otherfriable material when the container 1 is broken. A pad 4 of absorbentmaterial, such as absorbent cottonf surrounds the container 1 and awrapping 5 of textile material, such as gauze bandage, is disposed aboutthe pad 4: and is folded beyond the pad 4: to form a handle 6. The

handle 6 is bound with cords 7 to retain the parts in assembledrelation. The portion of the wrapping 5 forming the handle 6 isimpregnated with a liquid resistant material, such, for example, asparaflin, to prevent absorption of liquid thereby when the container 1is broken.

To utilize my invention it is necessary merely to crush the container 1whereupon the liquid 2 escapes and permeates the pad 4 and the Wrapping5, so that the liquid is readily applied to any desired surface, as forexample the application of iodin to a Wound. The fingers of the userare, however, protected from contact with the liquid by impregnation ofthe handle 6 and consequently the swab may be used with great facilityand without waste of the contents thereof. When the contents of thecontainer 1 is exhausted the swab is discarded. The

1 from'working through the pad 4 and causing injury during theapplication of the liquid 2;

My invention is particularly desirable in connection with first aidpackages now commonly supplied soldiers and others for applying iodin towounds since small but sufficient quantities of iodin may be readilycarried by individuals in a form which makes it quickly available andreadily applicable when needed. It will be apparent, however, that myinvention is not necessarily limited to the transportation andapplication of iodin but may be employed with a great variety of liquidsof cleansing, antiseptic or healing character. V

It will-be further apparent that I have perfected a surgical swab whichbecause of its compactness, simplicity of construction and the ease withwhich the contents may be released and applied fills a long-felt need inthe art.

It will be further understood that various changes may be made in theform, construction and 'arran ement of the parts without departing romthe spirit, and scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of itsmaterial advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely apreferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

A surgical swab comprising a friable liquid container, a pad inclosingsaid container, and a wrapping of textile fabric surrounding said padand extending beyond the pad and folded upon itself to form an WILLIAMH. SHARP.

Witnesses:

THOMAS P. HAMILTON, CATHERINE MCGUIRE.

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